Delta Naturalists Society

Thirteen DNCBers enjoyed a cold, dry outing to the North 40 Park Reserve on 72^nd St and the dyke at the end of 72^nd St. The 13 were Warren, Lynne, Colin, Stephanie, Jonathan, Lorraine, Mike B1, John, Pat, Manli, Thea, Bryan D and Terry. The paved streets of the former military wireless station meant that we could mostly avoid mud, although there were some icy areas.

Large numbers of Bald Eagles were grouped together in several trees, and others did flypasts. There were 16 eagles in one grouping. We watched one pair do a cartwheel courtship flight. They flew up high, locked talons, and then got into a cartwheel spin as they fell toward the ground, breaking apart at the last minute.

One tree had two busy Brown Creepers in it, and we also saw Robins, Chickadees, Juncos, Towhees, Kinglets, Starlings, Finches, Flickers, Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Sparrows.

One small raptor flew by too quickly for an ID. Bryan D, led us on a sketchy path for great views of a Great Horned Owl roosting in a cedar tree. Luckily the mud was frozen, but there were a few spots with slightly deeper water to negotiate. On the way back to the vehicles, we were entertained by sparrows and a Varied Thrush feasting on fallen apples.

Most of us then drove to the dyke. In the ditch by the parking area were Mallards and an American Coot. Flitting in the bushes were Robins, Song Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, and Golden-crowned Sparrows. Large flocks of ducks and shorebirds flew along the shore. In the fields we spotted a Rough-legged Hawk and some Northern Harriers on the ground. A Red-tailed Hawk was perched on a wire. A Marsh Wren appeared briefly.

We did not see Short-eared or Snowy Owls. And we did not venture toward 88^th Street where a Northern Mockingbird has been present for several days.
Terry Carr

There are some photos now, and more later, on flickr.

Here are Thea’s eBird lists